FEL Hydraulic question

[SwampKing]

Hi all
Can anyone tell me if its bad to leave the FEL in a raised position for an extended period when not using the tractor-I'm talking days at a time. Usually I take the FEL off and store it separately, but to store it indoors I have to leave it on the tractor and raised for clearance. Will this damage anything, i.e. seals, hoses, valves etc?
Thanks!

MF GC2310 TLB, MMM

 

[Glenn9643]

I've never left mine raised for an extended period. If your FEL leaks down over a period of time it might cause damage to your building or whatever is beneath the bucket. I don't believe leaving it raised with harm anything on the tractor or FEL.

 

[spb1971]

Why don't you get a piece of angle iron and place it between the end of the cylinder barrel and the end of the cylinder rod. When you settle the loader down it will clamp in between and will hold the loader up. This way is safer then relying on the hydraulics to hold it up in case something gives or someone inadvertently hits the joystick.

 

[JerryG]

The way that spb1971 told you is the safest way to leave a loader up. By doing it that way it will relieve the pressure on the the cylinders, hoses and the control valve as well as prevent the loader from leaking down.

 

[jeepcj7]

Ditto. Suggest using 1½" or 2" C channel if available and putting equal length channels (or angle iron) on both the LH and RH cylinder. If you only do one cylinder and forget its there, the cylinder that is not locked out with the angle iron will try to twist the loader frame (voice of experience).

 

[SwampKing]

The angle iron is a great idea, thanks.

For the record, leaving the FEL up poses no problem according to the MF dealer's service dept.